Tucson PD Removed From Voting Sites By City Officials

TUCSON, AZ — Tucson police officers will no longer provide security outside of Pima County's early voting sites.

The decision was made jointly between city officials — including Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus and City Manager Michael Ortega — in an effort to crack down on the appearance of voter intimidation.

“It’s important that we balance providing a safe voting experience with ensuring voters do not feel intimidated by an overt police presence," Myriam Cruz, a spokesperson for Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, told Patch. "Unlike the Recorder’s plan, TPD’s approach strikes this balance and is consistent with practices and guidance from the Arizona Secretary of State, other county recorders, and respected voting rights organizations.”

F. Ann Rodriguez, the Pima County Recorder, had previously requested officers' presence outside of polling places after receiving safety complaints from poll workers that large groups were watching the sites and pestering voters, according to the Arizona Daily Star.

Rodriguez did not respond to a request for comment, but told the Daily Star she disagreed with the decision wholeheartedly and had only heard positive feedback about the police presence. She is retiring from the recorder's office after the Nov. 3 election.

“Regina Romero has never conducted an election," she told the outlet. "This is my seventh presidential election. They have absolutely no knowledge of what it takes to do and conduct an election and the possible things you need to prepare for.”

Councilman Steve Kozachik, who represents Ward 6 on the Tucson City Council, called the decision a "mistake." He said the Tucson City Council should have been consulted on behalf of their constituents before the police were removed from their posts.

"Having a uniformed police officer at polling locations is intended to facilitate voting, not suppress it," he told Patch. "While I fully understand how police were used historically to intimidate and prevent people of color from voting, they're presence at Pima County polling locations was serving the opposite purpose."

Instead of having officers at polling sites, teams from the Tucson Police Department will rove the areas around the locations so they can be nearby if an issue arises.

"This will allow officers to respond in a timely manner to any disturbances or calls for service at the polls," Magnus said in a statement Thursday. "But it will not deter any voters who might be intimidated by a more overt law enforcement presence. Our highest priority is ensuring all Tucson residents have the ability to freely participate in the election."